How to Format SD Cards in the Fujifilm X-T5

It’s always a good idea to format memory cards in the camera you’re using them in. This prepares the card exactly how the camera wants and expects it, including creating the folders that it wants to store the images and videos in.

On the Fujifilm X-T5, the formatting function isn’t in the most obvious place because it’s under the User Setting section. You can find it under:

SET UP (Wrench Icon) > USER SETTING (Another Wrench Icon) > FORMAT

Once there, you can select which memory card slot you want to format, Slot 1 or Slot 2.

You’ll then be given the usual warning that you’re about to erase all the data on the SD card (which is only partly true–see below).

And then, finally, you get to the actual Format function.

You get a very basic progress indicator in the center of the screen, and then once it’s done, you’ll be automatically redirected back to the menu without any message indicating that it’s done successfully.

You can see some of the photos I’ve taken with the Fujifilm X-T5 is these posts:

– Fujifilm X-T5 Sample Images (a general collection of photos taken under various conditions)
– Fujifilm X-T5 High ISO Sample Images (focusing specifically on high-ISO images under low-light conditions)
– Fujifilm X-T5 ISO Range Sample Images (sequences taken through the ISO range to help with assessing image quality at different ISOs)

Things worth knowing

• The format function on the X-T5 does what’s known as a high-level format. That’s the standard “format” function on most cameras.
  
  A high-level format erases the index file, but it doesn’t actually wipe the underlying data. This means it’s often quite possible to recover the data if you accidentally format the card. But if you have sensitive data on the card, this type of formatting doesn’t securely wipe the card. For that, you’d need a low-level format. There’s no low-level format option on the X-T5, but you can do a “secure wipe” on a computer.

SD cards for the Fujifilm X-T5

I have a more detailed guide on the best SD cards for the Fujifilm X-T5, but here’s the short version.

Quick recommendations

Here are some quick recommendations for SD cards that offer a good combination of compatibility with all of the X-T5’s shooting features, are cost-effective, readily available, and come from well-known and reliable brands.

Compatibility & requirements

Here’s a quick rundown on the X-T5’s requirements when it comes to choosing a compatible SD card (or two).

• Compatible with SDXC and SDHC.
• UHS-II for maximum compatibility with all of the camera’s features (including high-speed burst photos and high-bitrate video recording)
• For high-bitrate video recording, choose a card that’s rated at V60 or V90.
• There are two memory card slots. It’s not required that you fill both, but there are advantages to doing so. The memory cards do not have to be identical size and brand.

You can find more details here.

How to format SD cards on a computer

It’s always best practice to format memory cards in the camera you’re going to use them in, but if that’s not possible or not what you want to do, you can also format cards using a computer. But there are some things to know when formatting SD cards to minimize the risks of your camera having problems with them. So I’ve put together guides on how to format SD cards on Mac and how to use the free SD Card Formatter app for Windows or Mac.

Price & availability of the Fujifilm X-T5

The Fujifilm X-T5 was released in November 2022 and comes in all-black or black with silver trim (which is the version I’ve been shooting with and used in the product shots above).

It’s sold in these configurations:

• Body only (MSRP $1699)
• Bundled with an 18-55mm f/2.8-4 zoom lens (MSRP $2099)
• Bundled with a 16-80mm f/4 zoom lens (MSRP $2199)

Check the current price and availability at:

• B&H Photo